Veterans Resources

Touro Law Center honors veterans for their dedication and sacrifice. We are very appreciative of your service. As such, we are a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, providing additional means of tuition assistance to our student veterans.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the in-state tuition and fees of public institutions or the $18,077.00 per year payable to private and foreign institutions.

The VA administers several education programs as set forth by law, Title 38 United States Code. Each program is found in a different chapter of the law and this number is often used to refer to each of the different programs. They also have specific names. Each program provides different benefits for different groups of individuals.

Chapter 33 Known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the newest benefit program was created for individuals who have served on Active Duty after 9/10/01. Rate of payment is based on the length of time served. Payments do not begin until August 1, 2009.

Chapter 30 The Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty, is the most common program. Is it for individuals who entered on Active Duty anytime since July 1, 1985 and who paid into an education fund for one year.

Chapter 1606 The Montgomery GI Bill – Selective Reserves is for individuals in the Selected Reserve or National Guard (not on Active Duty). They must be actively drilling and under a 6-year contract. They are eligible for benefits only as long as they remain in the Reserves or Guard.

Chapter 1607 The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is a recent Department of Defense education benefit program, designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to Active Duty in response to war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain individuals who were activated after September 10, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or increased benefits.

Chapter 35 The Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) is for dependents of a member of the Armed Forces who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability, or is 100% permanently and totally disabled based on a service-related reason. Dependents receive up to 45 months of full-time benefits. Children are generally eligible for benefits between the ages of 18 and 26, but in certain instances may begin before age 18 and continue beyond age 26. They have a VA file or claim number (C#) that is related to the parent or spouse under whom they are eligible. The dependent’s file is also identified with a suffix (10 or W, 41 or A, 42 or B, etc.). The Chapter 35 program has its own application form (VA Form 22-5490), and its own Change of Program/Training form (VA Form 22-5495).

Chapter 31Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is a program for disabled veterans. This is a unique program. Full tuition, fees, books, and in many cases parking costs are paid by the VA to the school. In addition, the student gets a monthly stipend depending on training status. THIS IS NOT THE GI BILL and NOT an educational benefit program. Education costs may be part of rehabilitation and training for employment. Veteran must work with VR&E case worker for eligibility information.

Note: Monthly housing allowances are paid ‘in arrears’ to eligible students, meaning that payments at the beginning of the month are for the prior month’s attendance. This also means that payments do not begin when classes begin. Students need to be prepared to pay housing costs in advance of receiving housing allowance from the VA.

If you need specific Veterans Eligibility information about your own eligibility, you must call the VA directly, since we do not have, nor are we able to provide veteran-specific student information. The phone number is 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551); the web site is www.gibill.va.gov.

How to Apply For Veterans Benefits

In order for students to secure federal veterans benefits, prior to or at the point of enrollment students must:

Complete and submit the VA application on line at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/. Students will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA indicating eligibility and whether the service meets Yellow Ribbon Program requirements.

Direct Deposit of Housing Allowance: Students also have the opportunity to complete a Direct Deposit Enrollment Form so that living expense money can be directly deposited into their own banking account by either calling 1-877-838-2778 or completing VA Form 240296.

Submit to the Registrar’s Office a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Submit to the Registrar’s Office a copy of their Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD Form 214.

Submit to the Registrar’s Office a copy of TLC’s Veterans Benefits Request Form.

New York State Veterans Tuition Awards

New York State residents who have served in the military are eligible to apply for Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA). Awards are for eligible veterans matriculated in a full time or part time study program.